The forthcoming Summit, themed _”CNII: Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination,”_ will bring together key players in the telecom industry, regulatory bodies, and government agencies to brainstorm on pressing infrastructure safety concerns.

The move is prompted by the recent designation of telecom facilities as critical national assets under the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, signed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024.

Industry stakeholders have long expressed concerns over the vulnerability of telecom assets to attacks, vandalism, theft, and arbitrary shutdowns, resulting in significant annual losses and disruptions to telecommunications services.

Omobayo Azeez, Lead Executive of PIAFo, emphasised the importance of safeguarding the telecom sector, citing its crucial role in facilitating cross-industry linkages, efficiency, and productivity.

“The telecom sector is the live wire of the Nigerian economy. If it’s not well-protected, all other sectors will feel the ripples,” Azeez warned, recalling the nationwide telecom service disruption in March 2024 caused by undersea cable cuts with attendant economic losses estimated at $593.6 million.

Azeez highlighted the alarming frequency of fibre cuts, with over 50,000 incidents recorded in 2024 alone, resulting in service blackouts and significant repair costs.

“In 2023, operators reported spending over N35 billion to repair and replace installed fibre cables that were destroyed. This is a fortune that could have been otherwise committed to infrastructure expansion to improve quality of service,” he added.

To prevent a repeat of such incidents, PIAFo is championing a collaborative approach to infrastructure safety, promoting awareness, inclusivity, and partnerships with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the agency tasked to implement the order, as well as other stakeholders.

The Summit, scheduled for March 20, 2025, at the Bon Hotel Ikeja Residence in Lagos, will feature expert discussions and presentations from invited speakers, including representatives from ONSA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW).

Other speakers include data centre operators, infrastructure companies (Infracos), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), tower companies (Towercos), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom lawyers, chiefs of security outfits, and State infrastructure regulatory agencies.

The event has also been endorsed by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

By convening this critical midpoint engagement platform, PIAFo aims to facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive approach to implementing the CNII Order, ensuring the long-term protection and growth of Nigeria’s telecom sector.

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This statement was made by Dr Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, during the inauguration of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop, an initiative aimed at fortifying the country’s communications infrastructure.

Dr. Maida’s address comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s recent Executive Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). 

This designation aims to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications against threats that damage service quality and operational efficiency. The workshop also targets the implementation of the Executive Order effectively.

Dr Maida stated that the financial stress on operators, who are forced to spend billions on repairs and also preventative measures against ongoing attacks is a lot. “In addition, the limited access to telecom facilities imposed by both private landowners and government bodies limits expansion efforts, further worsening the connectivity problems,” he added.

Over the years, industry stakeholders have cried out for the recognition of telecom infrastructure as a national asset, urging the government to tackle the incidents of vandalism. 

Earlier this year, Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, stated these issues following the internet outage caused by damaged fibre optic cables.

In 2023, MTN Nigeria reported over 6,000 fibre cuts, which prompted the operator to relocate approximately 2,500 kilometres of its vulnerable fibre lines at a cost exceeding N11 billion. This expenditure could have financed the installation of around 870 kilometres of new fibre lines in unserved areas.

Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, Carl Cruz, further revealed that the company encounters an alarming average of 1,000 fibre-cut incidents monthly, pointing to the urgent need for enhanced protection measures for telecom infrastructure.

While the recent classification of telecom infrastructure as a critical national asset has raised hopes for improved security, experts warn that the true effectiveness of this policy hinges on the government’s focus on enforcing it rigorously. 

Past attempts, such as the measures announced in June 2020 by former Communications Minister Dr. Isa Pantami, have yielded little success, with infrastructure vandalism remaining a pervasive issue.

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